Sarah Frances Ginther

Sarah Frances Garza Ginther
February 1, 1968 – December 7, 2023
Sarah Frances Garza Ginther was born February 1, 1968 to Manuel and Beatrice Garza. The
youngest of four siblings, Sarah was raised in San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from Clark
High School before pursuing a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Texas at
San Antonio.
Her love of writing and mastery of English led her to pursue a career in communications while
still in college. She got her start as an Associate Producer at KMOL before crossing the street to
join startup KABB, eventually rising to the rank of Senior Producer.
In her mid-twenties, Sarah catapulted to the industry’s top ten market. She would spend fifteen
years in Dallas-Ft. Worth as a producer at KDFW, an Executive Producer at WFAA and Assistant
News Director at KTVT. She was widely known and respected within DFW as a vehement force
of uncompromising talent, a producer whose passion for storytelling was unparalleled and whose
leadership ability was both innovative and inspiring.
In 2009, Sarah relocated to Seattle, Washington where she continued her career as an Executive
Producer at KING and Assistant News Director at KOMO.
Six years later, Sarah returned to her Texas roots. She was chosen to launch and lead the
“Responds” unit, a nationwide project for NBC and Telemundo. The team of journalists Sarah
recruited and managed fought on behalf of people in need, giving a voice to the voiceless. It is a
legacy that continues today.
In 2019, she stunned her television colleagues by accepting a senior management position with
Charles Schwab where she spent the last four years.
Throughout Sarah’s storied career, she seemed effortlessly able to strike a balance between her
professional and personal life. She was a loving and doting mother, often prioritizing the needs
of her beloved children, Cymbeline and Hudson Burgess, over her own. Anyone who knew
Sarah would attest that her children were her greatest treasure.
Although a formidable amalgamation of keen intellect, bountiful generosity, wicked humor,
creative vision and stunning beauty, Sarah’s strong-willed stubbornness defined her, and her
strength was to be envied. She empowered all those who knew her professionally. And, the
intensity with which she was capable of loving left an indelible mark on those who knew her
intimately, including her first husband and father of her children, Douglas Burgess, and her
current husband, Mark Ginther, whose unwavering devotion to Sarah is, simply stated, the love
of a lifetime.
Sarah held her Mexican heritage close to her heart. She would sternly correct anyone who called
her Hispanic by proudly exclaiming, “I’m Mexican!” She was never one to decline dinner at a
Mexican restaurant. But few knew that no restaurant in Texas could top her own Chorizo or
Chicken Enchiladas. Her authenticity was undeniable with every bite.

Driven by an insatiable desire to understand the intricacies of life, Sarah’s presence held its own
magical mysticism. She was an immensely private person, one incredibly selective about those
she allowed the deepest access. The few with whom Sarah shared her vulnerability – the utter
essence of who she was as a woman, wife, mother, and friend – are among the luckiest people in
the world.
Sarah is survived by her husband Mark Ginther, Southlake, TX; children Cymbeline Burgess,
Southlake, TX; Hudson Burgess, Southlake, TX; former husband Douglas Burgess, Houston,
TX; sister Yvonne Garza, Naples, FL; brother Anthony Garza, San Antonio, TX; niece Sophia
Kurtz, Naples, FL; and step-children Mary Alice Ginther, Atlanta, GA and Katie Ginther,
Brooklyn, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Beatrice Garza; and sister,
Phyllis “Jenny” Garza.
To honor Sarah’s life and legacy, a Celebration of Life will be held at Oak Cliff Tower in Dallas,
TX on Saturday, January 13 th from 2pm until 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Sarah are encouraged to make a contribution to a trust
that has been set up by Schwab and designated for her children. Her family respectfully requests
that donations be made payable to: Donald Lambeth on behalf of Cymbeline and Hudson
Burgess, 3917 Heritage Court, Burleson, Texas 76028.